Ep 4. Fired Up

In the latest episode of Barefoot Contessa, titled "Fired Up," host Ina Garten focuses on recipes that involve grilling and cooking over an open flame. The episode takes place in her backyard, where she has set up a grill and outdoor kitchen.

The first dish she prepares is a grilled lamb chop with a mint mustard sauce. Garten explains that the key to getting the perfect char on the lamb chops is to let them sit at room temperature for about an hour before grilling them. She also shares her recipe for the mint mustard sauce, which involves blending together Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, fresh mint, and red wine vinegar.

Next, Garten makes a roasted pepper and goat cheese sandwich using a cast-iron grill pan. She emphasizes the importance of using high-quality bread for the sandwich, as it makes a big difference in the final product. She also offers tips for grilling the peppers and getting them to the perfect texture.

For her third dish, Garten creates a grilled shrimp and pasta salad. She begins by grilling the shrimp and then tossing them with cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and a homemade vinaigrette. The result is a light and refreshing summer salad that is perfect for a backyard barbecue.

The episode also features Garten making her homemade vanilla ice cream, which she serves with fresh berries for dessert. She explains that making ice cream from scratch is surprisingly easy and yields a far superior product to store-bought ice cream.

Throughout the episode, Garten offers tips and tricks for grilling, such as using a chimney starter to light the grill, and ensuring that the grill grates are thoroughly cleaned before cooking. She also shares ideas for how to repurpose leftovers, such as using extra grilled vegetables in a frittata or adding leftover lamb chops to a rice pilaf.

Overall, the "Fired Up" episode of Barefoot Contessa is a celebration of summer grilling and showcases some of Garten's favorite recipes and techniques for cooking over an open flame. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a beginner looking to up your game, you're sure to learn something new and delicious from this episode.